"Maryland educators are deeply frustrated by Gov. Hogan’s proposal to drain twice as many resources from our public schools to subsidize private schools. The governor’s alliance with President-elect Donald Trump—who has proposed the idea of using $20 billion in taxpayer money for private school vouchers—on privatizing our public schools should be alarming to every Marylander who believes in the importance of public education," said MSEA President Betty Weller.

"Whether it was passing Maryland’s nationally-recognized school funding formula as a state senator or moving the landmark Every Student Succeeds Act through a gridlocked Congress, Chris has always gotten big victories for working families at every stage of his public service," said MSEA President Betty Weller.

"When it comes to our public schools, there’s one word that Gov. Hogan thinks of: cuts. Cuts to school funding, cuts to the school year—he prioritizes cuts over developing real, detailed strategies to reduce over-testing, close achievement gaps, and expand proven reforms like pre-kindergarten, after-school programs, and community schools."

Earlier this week, the governor claimed the state is facing declining revenues in deciding to withhold $25 million that had been set aside for public schools, yet did not decide to hold back funding reserved for private schools. Sen. Madaleno, ACLU, and MSEA asked the governor to instead send the $5 million in taxpayer dollars to public schools to offset some of the damage from the cuts Gov. Hogan made earlier this week.

Gov. Hogan’s office announced he would be withholding approximately $80 million included in the General Assembly’s bipartisan FY2017 budget—including $25 million for public schools. This is the second consecutive year that Gov. Hogan has made the unilateral decision to withhold funding from schools.

"This is an important step in helping to reduce over-testing for our students. While educators are disappointed that the Commission process did not result in more immediate and far-reaching recommendations to lessen the time and resources spent on mandated assessments, we are encouraged by several of the ideas proposed and are eager to work with local school systems to put them into action," said MSEA President Betty Weller.

"The Maryland State Education Association congratulates Karen Salmon on her selection as Maryland’s next state superintendent of schools. Maryland’s teachers and education support professionals look forward to working closely with Dr. Salmon to improve resource equity, close opportunity gaps, and reduce and improve standardized testing so that all of our students have a chance at a great public education," said MSEA President Betty Weller.

“Donald Trump and his divisive, fear-mongering rhetoric have no place in the halls of Maryland’s public schools. Trump’s eagerness to bully minorities would be unacceptable if it came from any of our students," said MSEA President Betty Weller.

"Due to the KRA, students lost out on instruction time during perhaps the most crucial learning period in their school experience—when they should be forming important learning habits and learning to play well with others. This bill will restore time for thousands of our youngest learners to play, learn, and develop a love for school," said MSEA President Betty Weller.